Horns from passing motorists blared as supporters and opponents of sweeping health care
legislation chanted and waved signs at a rally this afternoon outside the North Side office of Rep.
Mary Jo Kilroy, D-Columbus.

"I think everyone should have health care," said Marty Slone, a 54-year-old Columbus man who
supports the legislation.

"It's a good start," added his friend, Jeff Stevens, 53, of Columbus. "We need this to keep
costs down."

Other supporters shared stories about not being able to get health coverage because of
pre-existing conditions and having treatments denied by insurance companies.

But a few feet away, the opinions couldn't be more different.

"I don't see anyone laying in the street dying. We provide for everyone," said Janet Popa,61, of
Upper Arlington. "We provide for everyone."

Opponents said they don't trust the government to run health care and worry about how much it
will cost and whether they will continue to have their choice of doctors and treatment.

"The fallacy is that there are people not getting care. People are getting care. We are taking
care of patients," said Dr. Daniel J. Evans, a Columbus cardiologist who opposes the
legislation.

Several opponents said they agree the nation's health care system is broken but they don't like
the Democrats' approach.

"We need health insurance reform, but this costs too much," said Ron Redrick, 61, of Dublin. He
doesn't think people should be forced to purchase insurance if they don't want it and suggests
lawmakers look more closely at what individual states are doing to see what might work.

Kilroy, like most of the Democrats in Ohio's congressional delegation, says she has not decided
how she will vote on the legislation. In a statement released by her office, she thanked both sides
for making their views known, saying she would rely on the views of her constituents.

"We appear to be reaching the end of a process over a bill that's been the most debated of any
bill in our nation's history. Hearing the voices of my constituents, and not Washington insiders,
is crucial to my decision making process," she said.